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1,638,301 1927' R. E. GEARHART O ELECTRIC WELQING 0R SOLDERING DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet l 35&.

134/1? Gear/247i? 1,638,301 Aug. 9 1927' R. E. GEARHART ELECTRIC WELDING OR SOLDERING DEVICE Filed Jan. 17. 1923 S Sheets-Sheet 2 ZFO IEGdf/Zdi? 1 Q u g 7 R. E. GEARHART ELECTRIC WELDING 0R SOLDERING DEVICE Filed Jan. 17. 192:5 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Gear/Z4;

5 Sheets-Shot 5 I V Zia Z62 @fawfl g 7 R. E. GEARHART ELECTRIC WELDING 0R SOLDERING DEVICE Filed Jan. 17. 1925 Patented Aug. 9, 1927.

UNITED STATES ROY E. GEABHART, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

ELECTRIC WELDING OR SOLDERING DEVICE.

Application filed January 17, 1923,

This invention relates to soldering or Welding transformers, and has for its object to produce a construction whereby welding or soldering operations can be performed without subjecting the parts to be united to any appreciable heat except at the point of union, and without danger of such parts being oxidized or pitted appreciably.

A further object is to provide a translu former in which provision is made for preheating the' welding or soldering terminals to facilitate the actual welding or soldering operation.

Another object is to provide a transformer in which energy developed through the appliance" itself, is utilized to preheat the terminals of the transformer, as distinguished from preheating terminals by the application of a'fiame or'the like, or'by heat generated from asource of electric current supply extraneous to theappliance. 4

A still further object is to provide a transformer adaptedtofdevelop a plurality of welding or soldering'temp eratures according 2 to the charac'ter ofthe parts to be united.

YVith theseobjects in view the invention consists in 'certainnovel' and useful features of con'structionia'n'd combinations of parts asv hereinafter described and claimed, and in order that it may be fully understood, reference istobe'had to the accompanying drawings, in"which: f

Figure l is a side elevation of an' appliance embodying the invention;

5 Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view showingthe electrical circuits-of the invention;

F igure 3.is an enlarged top plan view of the appliance;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line IVIV of Figure 5;

Figure 5' is a view showing the mechanism of theappliance in side elevation and partly broken away, and showing the body of the,

casing in vertical section;

Figure 6 is aniend elevation of the appliance, with the body portion of the casing in vertical section;

Figure 7 is a section taken on the line VIIVII of Figure 9;

Figure 8 is a section taken on the line V IIIVIII of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a section taken on the line lXIX of Figure 3; Figure 10 is a section taken on the line XX of Figure 4;

Serial No. 613,302.

Figure 11 is a section taken on the line XI-XI of Figure 4;

Figure 12 is a plan view of a modified form of terminal and work support;

-Figure 13 is an edge view of the same;

Figure 14 is a vertical section taken on the line XIVXIV of Figure 12, and also shows in relative position, a clamping screw for holding theterminal in position; and

Figure 15 is a sect-ion taken on the line XV-XV of Figure 12.

Before proceeding with a detailed description of the invention, it is desired to state that the essential novelty of the invention centers in the thought of using preheated terminals, and the commercial practicability of the invention in utilizing energy of the appliance itself for effecting such preheating prior to raising the temperature of the terminals to a heat necessary to etlect welding or soldering,operations, it being" understood .in this connection however, that the preheating temperature alone may be sulfieient to perform hard soldering ofdelicate work, such as eye glass chains and other parts of very small cross section. The preheating op'eration is also desirable ,Where the terminals are metal, as preferred, as it restores to, a plastic condition the borax or other flux"adhering to the terminals, and dissipates or drives off impurities which would interfere with the passage of current or heat from the terminals to the work, it being-obvious that unlesssuch impurities are removed bypreheating of the terminals, a file or the like must be used to re-v move them. i i

Referring now to the detail construction, where like reference characters identify I corresponding parts, a casing comprises a hollow body 1, a bottom 2 and a top 3, secured together by screws 4 engaging corner posts 5. \Vithin the casing is secured on posts 6, an induction coil 7 of laminated type, the primary coil of which is connected at ditl'eient points (see Figure 2) by conductors S with a series of contacts 9 for successive engagement by a switch 10 having an operating knob or-handle 11. One end of the primary coil is connected by a conductor 1'2 and fuse 13 to a line conductor 14 in circuit with a suitable source of electric current supply, not shown.

One of the contacts 9 and the switch 10, are respectively connected by conductors 15 terminal.

purposes. In said construction, one terminal is the sole support for the work, shown in this instance, as an eyeglass frame F broken at point 11. Such terminal has a. body portion 32 corresponding substantially to terminal 3l,-and a clamp member 62 'fas tened at its rear end to the body portion and bifurcated to accommodate the clamping screw 47 for securing the-body portion to its respective post. An operating screw 63 (see Figure 14) engages the clamp member and is swivelled to the body portion so that. the eye-glass frame at one side of and adjacent to the break therein can be se curely engaged. To receive each lens or lens frame, forks 64 are provided; and these forks carry cross-pieces (35 to span lenses held therein against tipping movements, the cross-pieces engaging the part of the frame not held between the terminal and clamp arm, supporting its lens=so as to hold'the respective part' of :the frame in abutting relation at the point a, to be welded, with the other part. of th -frame; The'forks are frictionally pivoted to clips 66, and the'lat ter are frictionally pivoted by links 67 and 68, to the terminal 62 ,'to provide for such adjustmentof the forks asnece'ssitated bythe location -of the bre'ak'to be welded;

Before proceeding ;with* a 'de'se'ription of the attenuated ends of the terminals to a red heat, and melt any flux coated thereon. so that it cannot prevent the flow of current from one terminal to the other through interposed work engaging the terminals. as here nafter explained. it being understood in this connection the particular contact 1) wired to contact 17, is that tapped from the primary coil at a point which will result in generating sutiicient heat. in the terminals to weld or solder small articles such as ordinary finger rings, watch chains and the like. It will also be understood, as explained more in detail hereinafter, that the rotary adjustment of the switch effects relative. approaching movement of the teru'iinals, this adjust ment continuing until a ring, for example hung on arm (30 or otherwise supported, is clamped between and constitutes a branch conductor between the terminals at their attenuated points, this ring or work. lit-in; thus heated by conductioii of heat iroui the electrodes and also by passage or leakage of a portion of the current through the work and the break welded or soldered. this is accomplished without breaking the circuit through contacts 29 and 30v the removal of the work is not attended by any material sparking and hence does not pit the. operation ofthe appliance; itfis 'desired to state that' v'vith a transformer of capacity to produce a lowfvoltag'e,say 'approximately two volts in"theinduced circuit through the secondary coil, i it 'isi impliacticable to" employ carbon "terminals; 1 5 Any metals which' "will not readily oxidize; =can be eiaployed; as'fter dition, as whemcold; will' cbn'stitute" insiila terminal through the work to the other -With the parts 'positioned "a's =shown by the work or the terminals.

If the "w'ork"is very delicate, the ter minals are first preheated, and then after setting the switch '10 in engagement-with a contact 9 for developing the desired low liea't,'switch blade 19 is depressed by pressure on'knob 22, to break the primary circuit' through contact 17 and make it through contact'18fand break the secondary circuit. thisllatter action occurring through do wn ward pressurej'of'the Switchblade huh on the plate-27 carried by the bus-bar normally connecting contacts 29 and 30. The work, assuming'the switch 22 "has not been turned too far, or has been reverselyturned partway to provide" requisitespace, is i new ='d is posed between the-terminals and then the completed but thatsufiicient rotation of knob latter are brought together-against the work and retained in such position until the welding or soldering operation is'efi'eeted. it bcwith contact 17.'and thereby-' completing a circuit as -followsz' from line conductor 14 r through fuse 13, conductor- 12- the primary coilof the transformer,conductor 8. contact' ing apparent that in the case instanced, the secondary circuit is as'follows: -from 'the coil -through conductors 52, -37. 31. the

work, 32, 44 and 53 back to-the coil. For

welding or soldering bulky work. the switch 10 is shifted to engagementwith a contact adapted. 'from its point of connection with the primary coil. to develop the required degree of heat in the terminals. It. will thus be understood that the adjustment of the switch 10 provides for the generation of differentdegrees of heat. and that while only one degree of heat can be generated for preheatim purposes. the bridging of the gap between the terminals by work of different bulk, will actually develop different degrees of heat in the terminals as a relatively large piece of work will carry more current and the terminals be less highly heated, than with a small piece of work. the secondary circuit in both cases being in multiple, whereas in the welding or soldering action. the circuit is through the work, and there is no branch circuit or path forthe flow of the current.

It will be understood of course, that to insure satisfactory and repeated welding or soldering operations, the metal or equivalent terminals must be kept clean, and this is accomplished-by the use of a. non-oxidizing flux or its equivalent. and avoids the necessity of filing, scraping or otherwise mechanically treating the terminals :to remore oxidation or other current-inipeding coatings thereon.

\Vith this machine. delicate work can be soldered by the softening under heat, of a, depositof solder lefton the terminals or either of them from a previous soldering operation, which is not possible with carbon terminals as solder will not. adhere thereto. The fact'that' solder will adhere to the terminals facilitates the operation of soldering and avoids the annoyance and -timelost incidental to the extreme care which-must be exercised in soldering; small work with carbon terminals; Of course when. metal terminals are employed, uiandjthe work held in contact with them constitutes a condoctor, such work must-be removed while the solder is hotan'd plastic. If the current wascut-off an appreciable time-before an attempt was made to remove the f work the latter would be found toadhere to-the terminals. Ordinarily the switch is rma-nipu 'lated'to reestablish-the preheatin circuit,

V the attenuated points thereof.

and while this is in action the work is removed.-

i l 2' s From the above description it=willthus be apparent that Ihave produced-a solder- :ing or welding transformer embodying thefeatures of'advantage enumerated as desir- 4 able in the statementiof the objects .of the invention, and while I have illustrated and described the preferred form of embodiment -of the invention, it will be apparent that it is susceptible of modification inminor particulars without departin from the principle of construction'or 1110 e of operation involved.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a transformer and means for circulating electric current to energize the primary and induce current in the-secondary of said transformer, apair of spaced conducting terminals having opposed intermediate attenuated points, and connections establishing a circuit in series from the said secondary throughsa'id terminals to preheat nals when the latter are physically connected by the work to be soldered or welded.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a. transformer and means for .circulating electric current to energize the primary and induce current in the secondary of said transformer, and-a pair of spaced terminals connected in sericswith the said secondary and provided intermediate. their length with opposed attenuated portions, .the

attenuated portions, being 1'clativelyad1ust-; able toward and from each other for clamp-1 ing between them or releasing work .to be welded. i 4. In apparatus of .,the' character: de;

scribed, a transformer and means for circu-f lat ng electric current ;.to energize the pri mary and induce current inthe secondary of;

said transformer, a. pair of spaced ;term' ina;ls connected in. series with the said secondary and provided with. attenuated portions and a relatively adjustable toward and from each other, electrical connections betwee :the, end.)

ofthe terminals at the opposite side of .;the

said attenuated portions from the secondary. of the transformer, andmeans to break-the circuit through said electrical connections at the opposite ;-si c le of the attenuated portions;

of the terminals from-'said -transformer, to j shunt theinduced currentfrorn one terminal to the otherthrough work iphysically con.- necting the attenuated portions of the ter-g minals. l r i 5 In apparatus of the characterzlde scribed, -a transformer and means for circulating electric current-t0 energize the -pri mary and induce current in the-secondary of said transformer, a pair of spaced con;:

ducting '-terminals,-: connections establishing.

a circuit in series from th'e said secondary through each terminal itoheat ithe same, and

means for opening the primary circuit and opening the secondary circuit at the opp0 site side of the terminals fromthe transformer and for reclosing-the-circuit through the primaryof the transformer.-

6. In apparatus of the character described, a transformer and means for-circulating electric current tocnergize the primary and induce current in the secondary of saidtransformer, .8, pair of spaced conducting terminals, connections establishing a circuit in series from the said secondary" through each terminal to heat the same,

means for opening the primary circuit and opening the secondary circuit at the opposite side of the terminals from the transformer and for reclosing the primary circuit through the transformer, and means for varying the resistance to the flow of current through the primary coil of the transformer to proportionately change the amperage of the induced current. a

7. In apparatus of the character described, a pair of posts, welding terminals carried thereby having opposed points susceptible of being heated by the flow of electric current through the terminals, a transformer having its secondary coil electrically connected to ends of the terminals respectively, a pair of contacts respectively electrically connected to the opposite ends of said terminals, a second pair of contacts, one electrically connected to the primary coil of the transformer, means for making and breaking electrical connection between the said primary coil and the other of said second pair of contacts, a switch for electrical connection with either of the last-named contacts, electric current supply connections for the switch and the primary coil of the transformer, and means normally closing the secondary circuit through the first-nam'ed pair of contacts.

8. In apparatus of the character described, a pair of posts, welding terminals carried thereby having op osed points susceptible of being heated by t e flow of electric current through the terminals, a transformer having its secondary coil electrically connected to ends of the terminals respectively, a pair of contacts respectively electrically connected to the opposite ends of said terminals, a second pair of contacts, one electrically connected to the primary coil of the transformer, means for making and breaking electrical connection between the said primary coil and the other of said second pair of contacts, a depressive rotary post, a fixed lug in electrical contact with the rotary post, an electric current supply in circuit with said lug and with the rimary coil of the transformer, a switch blade rigid with the rotary post, a spring normally holding the blade up against the lug and between and out of contact with the said second pair of contacts and adapted when the 0st is rotated sufliciently to engage the b ade with the overlying contact of the said second pair, and means normally closing the secondary circuit through the first-named pair of contacts and movable to break such circuit by sufiicient depression of the rotary post to bring the said blade in contact with the other of the second pair of contacts.

9. In apparatus of the character described, a pair of posts, welding terminals carried thereby havin opposed points susceptible of being heated y the flow of electric current through the terminals, a transformer having its secondary coil electrically connected to ends of the terminals respectively, a pair of contacts respectively electrically connected to the opposite ends of said terminals, a second pair of contacts, one electrically connected to the primary coil of the transformer, means for making and breaking electrical connection between the said primary coil and the other of said second pair of contacts, a depressive rotary post, a fixed lug in electrical contact with the rotary post, an electric current supply in circuit with said lug and with the primary coil of the transformer, a switch blade rigid with the rotary post, a spring normally holding the blade up against the lug and between and out of contact with the said second pair of contacts and adapted when the post is rotated sufficiently to engage the blade with the overlying contact of the said second air, and means normally closing the secon ary circuit through the first-named pair of con tacts and movable to break such circuit by sufiicient depression of the rotary post to bring the said blade in contact with the other of the second pair of contacts, sulficient rotary movement of the rotary post after the depression thereof, permitting reaction of the means last mentioned to reestablish electrical connection between the first-named pair of contacts.

10. In apparatus of the character described, a pair of posts, welding terminals carried thereby having opposed points susceptible of being heated by the flow of electric current through the terminals, a transformer having its secondary coil electrically connected to ends of the terminals respectively, a pair of contacts respectively electrically connected to the opposite ends of said terminals, a second pair of contacts, one electrically connected to the primary coil of the transformer, means for making and breaking electrical connection between the said primary coil and the other of said sec ond pair of contacts, a depressive rotary post, a fixed lug in electrical contact with the rotary post, an electric current supply in circuit with said lug and with the primary coil of the transformer, a switch blade rigid with the rotary post, a spring normally holding the blade up against the lug and between and out of contact with the said second pair of contacts and adapted when the post is rotated sufficiently to engage the blade with the overlying contact of the said second pair, means normally closing the secondary circuit through the first-named pair of contacts and movable to break such circuit by sufficient depression of the rotary post to bring the said blade in contact with the other of the second pair of contacts, and means actuated by rotary movement imparted to the said switch plate by the rotary post, (o eliect relative approaching or recednn'aremcnt of the said terminals.

1 In an electric welder, a plurality of spaced electrodes a source pf electrical J, nndi c-esml circniiconnections hetn'ecn S2-ll(l source of energy and electrodes 0 muse the cur-rent to pass through the coniart or working faces of rho elecrrocles to heat the izriter whereby when work is introehiced'bei-ween the electroeles -21 portion of the current shall pass through he were 12;. In an electric welder, a pair of spaced tact or working faces of sziid electrodes whereby when \vork is introduced between the electrodes :1 portion ofbhe :curren't shall pass through the work. i J 1 In witness whereof I "he'reun afiix my ignature. Ti 

